FRIENDS FANS have reacted with a mix of anger and despair to the news James Corden is to host the much-anticipated reunion special.
While fans of the hit sitcom were initially excited when the first trailer for Friends: The Reunion dropped, joy soon turned to sorrow when it emerged the British chat show host would be fronting the special.
The sight of Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc back together on the set of the iconic show initially sparked delight on social media.
However, the presence of Corden soon prompted a major backlash on Twitter.
"The one we’ve all been waiting for.... only to be ruined by James Corden," one fan lamented.
Another wrote: "Don’t get me wrong I’ve been wanting a Friends reunion since 2004 but if someone told me James Corden would be in it I’d have told them not to bother."
Tfw you find out James Corden is hosting the Friends Reunion pic.twitter.com/JHvXme0i0a
— Darren McGarvey (@lokiscottishrap) May 19, 2021
Others took a more sarcastic tone.
"I wasn't convinced a Friends re-union is a good idea," one such tweet began. "What converted me was finding out it'll be hosted by James Corden. Said not one person ever."
There was a sense of bewilderment to many of the anti-Corden tweets.
One fan wrote: "I’m genuinely gutted about it. I’ve been so looking forward to this and then I heard James Corden’s voice. He’s everywhere!"
Watching the #FriendsReunion trailer and the second James Corden appears... pic.twitter.com/5yfePFg3We
— Jack (@JeyDoubleYew) May 20, 2021
Important questions were also asked.
Questions like: "What exactly does James Corden have on someone powerful?" and, in one particularly vociferous tweet: "WHY IN THE FRESH HELL IS JAMES CORDEN HOSTING PART OF THE FRIENDS REUNION???"
One fan raged: "Was pretty much up for watching that Friends Reunion, then I heard James Corden’s voice on the trailer and I was a little bit sick in my mouth."
There were, of course, those who took things a little too far with one such offender tweeting "pandemic hits a new low" in reaction to the news.
Ultimately, however, the majority are still likely to tune in when the reunion does finally air on May 27th.
While, Corden aside, there are plenty of notable special guests set to make an appearance including Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice, and Tom Selleck, who played Richard Burke.
I'm sorry if this isn't brand new information but WHY IN THE FRESH HELL IS JAMES CORDEN HOSTING PART OF THE FRIENDS REUNION??? #FriendsReunion pic.twitter.com/6vZkCdgMDJ
— Liv (@stevenrogered) May 19, 2021
The trailer sees Schwimmer, aka Ross, hosting a mock trivia night that sees the cast revisit some of the show’s most notable highlights.
It also captures the moment the six stars reunite for the first time with an emotional embrace.
At one point, Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe, reflects how they “have such a bond because of this show."
when you see the Friends reunion special is hosted by James Corden pic.twitter.com/3xrDJpaSpB
— Sean (@SeanStanglandDH) May 19, 2021
The reunion looks set to revisit classic moments from the sitcom’s run with each of the actor’s discussing their favourite scenes.
Due to air later this month, the special features surprise appearances from Justin Bieber, David Beckham, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga and Reese Witherspoon.
